it was understood that

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was understood that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was generally accepted as true, even if it was not explicitly stated. For example, "It was understood that every student in the class would have to take the final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At Vertigo, "it was understood that not all of the titles would make money," Ms. Wilson said.

The New York Times - Books

It was understood that the visual image had its own rhetoric.

Johns Hopkins University

It was understood that Lombardy would be ceded by France to its ally Piedmont.

Britannica

It was understood that the hospitality would not be returned.

The New Yorker

It was understood that there was something charming about me.

The New Yorker

But it was understood that there was more to come.

The New York Times - Arts

From the XRD analysis it was understood that the films have polycrystalline structure with monoclinic phases.

Materials Letters

It was understood that Mr. Yablans will also take on the president's title on that date.

The New York Times

It was understood that Mandela would sooner or later be captured and possibly hanged.

The Guardian - Books

But it was understood that our politics were checked at the door.

The Washington Post

It was understood that Obama, the constitutional law lecturer, would find the country's compass.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was understood that", ensure the context clearly indicates who held this understanding. Providing context enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "it was understood that", as this can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Where appropriate, rephrase the sentence to use an active voice and a more direct subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was understood that" functions as a sentence opener introducing a statement of shared knowledge or an implicit agreement. Ludwig AI indicates that it correctly conveys a sense of common understanding, even if unstated. It sets the stage for explaining the implications of this shared understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was understood that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a statement grounded in a shared understanding or implicit agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequent appearance in news, science, and business contexts suggests a professional and neutral register. While "it was understood that" is generally interchangeable with phrases like "it was assumed that" and "it was generally accepted that", it's important to consider the subtle nuances of each alternative to ensure the most appropriate choice for the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was assumed that

Implies a presumption rather than a clear understanding.

it was generally accepted that

Focuses on widespread acceptance within a group.

it was taken for granted that

Suggests something was accepted without question.

it was a given that

Emphasizes the certainty or inevitability of something.

it was known that

Indicates a state of awareness or knowledge.

it was recognized that

Highlights acknowledgment of a fact or situation.

the unspoken agreement was that

Emphasizes lack of explicitness of the agreement.

the implication was that

Highlights an indirect suggestion or conclusion.

the expectation was that

Focuses on what was anticipated or predicted.

it was inferred that

Highlights a conclusion reached through reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "it was understood that" in a sentence?

The phrase "it was understood that" is used to express a common, often unspoken, agreement or assumption. For example, "It was understood that the project deadline would be strictly enforced."

What are some alternatives to "it was understood that"?

Alternatives include "it was assumed that", "it was generally accepted that", or "it was taken for granted that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it was understood that" formal or informal?

"It was understood that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall context of the writing.

What's the difference between "it was understood that" and "it was known that"?

"It was understood that" implies a shared agreement or implicit understanding, while "it was known that" simply indicates a state of awareness or factual knowledge. The former suggests more of a tacit consensus, while the latter suggests simple awareness.